Our "20 Year Project". We're looking forward to building our brand new garden, year by year, from almost scratch. Apart from a few very small trees, our newly acquired tract is currently only a bare stretch of grass. So starting July 23rd, 2007 when we take possession it's "on with the show" ..... and please come back often and watch us grow!

Friday, August 31, 2007

The East Staircase Is In!

Last week, when Mar found those free salmon bricks on Kijiji, (to eventually become the small patio in front of our planter seat), the kind lady pointed to a small pile of another variety of bricks in another corner of her garage and asked if we had a use for them as well. If so, we could help ourselves to them.
Again, things will develop step by step. I could see them becoming the east staircase up the berm.
After much digging and picking with the mattock today ... voila! .... the east staircase is in.
Boy, will a hot shower feel good!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

A Giant Gnome in Our Garden?

No!
That's our friend Charlie with Mar and I .... he played the bagpipes for us at a garden party the other night.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

The Yuccas are Planted!

Tonight we planted our four little yuccas which we had bought some time ago from Cindy.
They are located near the Bonsai Garden and Breakfast Nook, adjacent to the path that will climb to the east end of the berm.
This time next year they'll hopefully fill this whole bed we turned for them.

Our Garden is Being Invaded by Garden Creatures!

Last week we went out early one morning and found a gnome in our garden sweeping the rocks! He was upset they were so dusty. He has agreed to keep them clean for a bit of supper every night. Bad deal .... he eats like a pig!


Now the frogs are arriving! We found this little guy under one of the rhodies this morning. He doesn't do a thing but smile and ask to be kissed. Ya right ... bet he has bad breath!

The Truscott Rock

On July 1, after we had left Steven and Marlene's, we saw this large rock near the side of the road.
We brought it home, labelled it with their names and date, and put it in our rhododendron bed as a touchstone.
(Actually, we took it to our old home first for three weeks, until we moved here on July 24th.)
Anyone who touches it will have good things come their way! Hey, Steven was finally acquitted of murder yesterday after 48 years .... so maybe there IS something to this rock!!!!!
There is a very funny aside to this stone. It must weigh almost 100 pounds. On moving day when I asked our son Michael if he could put it in the moving van, he carried it, with some distress and a distorted red face, across the front lawn explaining very purposefully, "There @#$%^& BETTER be a good story about this rock!"

Almost Forgot to Record the Front Garden!

Here's the tree in front of our new home. Mar and I can't get over how perfectly symetrical it is!

... and here's the bush garden in front of our porch.
There's our Inukchuk we picked up on our trip to Sudbury a few years ago .... he adorned our old front garden and moved with us.
We had to place that boulder next to the garden to stop Ruffy from going in and trampling the Hen and Chicks we have planted on the edge.
Hey what a great shot Mar!.... cause that's Mike cleaning windows ... JUST FOR THE RECORD!!! hahahahahaha

Monday, August 27, 2007

Welcome Trinny!

Wow! Since we started logging the origins of our visitors, Trinidad is the 11th country to share in our growing garden.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Twilight Cherry Tomato Picking

Mar's mother Ruth picking cherry tomatoes in the dwindling light of dusk tonight.
The crop has been extremly profuse with a couple of hundred ripening daily.


Praise Photoshop!
By cropping, enlarging, and lightening Nana, we also see all the yummy cherry tomatoes on the bush waiting to be picked ... or better still: eaten as they're picked!

Sweaty and Dirty, But Oh What a Joy!

Mar took this image of Mike the moment we had finished, with moucho satisfaction, planting the last of the locust trees.
We were chatting about how a few weeks of hard work moving and replacing five feet of clay for each is so worth the years of enjoyment to come for all.
I think I look like an older Dennis the Menace! ... but don't you love those cute knees hahahahaha

From the Background to the Foreground, Meet the Jefferies: Bruce, Ellie, Spencer & Paige

We finally did it!
Mar and I planted the last locust tree late this afternoon.
Now we can enjoy their growing up over the years and standing guard over our garden.
Thanks for the housewarming present Guys!

Van Full of Soil

Here's Mar waving to you all ....
Mar and I had just picked up another yard of soil in St. Kitts this afternoon to plant the last locust tree.
We stopped at Jordan Harbour to take a few pictures of the great view of Lake Ontario, the boats and Toronto on the far shore, about 25 miles distant.

Here's a pic right across Lake Ontario towards Toronto. If you click on the image and enlarge it, you will see the Toronto skyline and the CN Tower quite clearly.


Here's a couple of scenes taken tonight at Jordan Harbour. You can see by these views why we stopped to take it in and "smell the roses".



Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ms. Kijiji Strikes Again!

Here's Mar yesterday afternoon going through a "motherlode" of bricks she found for free on Kijiji.
The ones in the forground will be perfect for a small rectangular patio in front of the love seat bench, (mark that up as a 2008 project!).
It's now a tie on where this garden is going between what Mike is designing and what Mar is scooping on Kijiji. That's one of the neatest things about our garden ... we have an overall view of where it will go ... but day to day brings new ideas and projects from things we find around us; usually giveaways.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Hooray! Locust Number Three Out of Four Now Planted!

Mar and I worked steadily for a few hours late yesterday afternoon/evening and got Locust Number Three into the ground.
When all four are finally planted we'll officially honour them with a garden baptism ceremony, (with the necessary wine of course), by their real names, Bruce, Ellie, Spencer and Paige, Mar's bro, sister-in-law and their children. These four trees were their housewarming present to us.

Jean's GPK Cardinal

In photoshop, we enlarged the cardinal Jean took in Greenfield Park last week.
What a gorgeous bird!

The Lighter Side of Gardening (This One Kills Scruffer!)

Italy is Country Number Ten

Last week we added a counter which checks the origin of all visiting hits ... it's fun to see where people are "coming from".
Italy is now the tenth country to send a visitor.
Wow! We're sharing our gardening project all around the world!
Gram, with her own wonderful garden in Montreal South, would be astounded.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

..... from our E-mailbag : Cardinals Spotted in My Old Home Town of Greenfield Park, Quebec Too!

Hi,
I was in Gpk last week. This cardinal kept returning to the same spot. One evening he was joined by his brown female partner and what I'm guessing must have been their off-spring. The third bird was neither red nor brown, but a mix of their colours.
Jean G

Second Locust Planted! (Two to go ....)

Here's the visual of our hard work yesterday.
While the root balls on these locusts are only 15" to 16", they are going into a solid clay hill, so Mar and I are excavating holes four feet deep and backfilling with near top soil grade earth.
These babies are going to LOVE putting their toes into what we have given them!
Pass the linament please!
(As you can see, it is a rainy day here ... but good ... it has been near arid conditions and almost everyone's lawn is yellow ... except for those who insist on watering .... don't get that .... but each to his own ...)

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Plant a Tree: Celebrate!


We got the second of four Skyline Locusts planted today. If that wasn't a reason to celebrate in the new garden, what is?
It was steaks on the Bar-B, plus some great Niagara grape.
You should have showed up with a shovel!

Birds, Birds and More Birds!

Here's one of the visitors to our budding garden this morning. His mate, the female, and more brown than red, seemed to be the boss, (is that so unusual hahahahaha).
They certainly were entertaining!
Initially, they seemed to be very attracted to our cherry tomato crop and flitted back and forth between each plant, checking out all the ripening fruit.
Then she explored our Bonsai Garden, while he seemed to take up a watch, (which is when I grabbed the zoomed in picture above from our patio door.)
Our area is known world wide for birds due to the migration of a large variety of species through here. Birds follow the Niagara Escarpment north using the updrafts to help ease their flight.
In the spring they hunker down in our area to nest, including hawks and eagles of all kinds. The Bald Eagles are especially a glorious sight to behold.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Stairway to "Heaven" ~ The Winding Staircase to the Upper Gardens Taking Form

The last couple of days has seen lots of rock collecting, transporting and building.
Two of the rocks in the centre of the picture weighed about 150 pounds each, so progress is sure, but very slow.
However, it sure is satisfying to see our plans take actual form in the garden!
(Anybody have a Bobcat they could lend us?)

Mug of Ivy


Here's the ivy cuttings we borrowed from the walls of a "major Canadian university" ... and have been rooting them in a beer mug.
The roots are forming nicely and we'll soon transplant them into some rooting soil.
From there we'll transplant them to grow up and around on our new rock walls.

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

"A Rose by Any Other Name ..."

Here's a trio of three roses on one stem in our Rose Garden this evening ... makes gardening all worth the price of labour!
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
~ Juliet, from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1594

The Tomato Garden, (AKA Fort Chambly), Developing Faster Than You Can Say, "A BLT Please!"

Encouraged steadily by Scruffer the Rock Hound, the Tomato Garden is growing fast, (guess that is a pun again?).
At this point we are not sure if it will be a two or three tier affair, (my back might be a major factor in that decision!), but regardless, it will be a fun place to grow and pick our cherry tomatos in years to come.
The rocks will probably be materially covered in an ivy 'donated' by a "major Canadian University", (we're sure they haven't missed these cuttings "borrowed" from one of their academic buildings). Mar has gently nursed these cuttings, (she talks to them), all summer in a mug of water on her desk, and they are now happily sending out some very healthy roots.
Gotta run .... Scruff wants to go and fetch more rocks .....

This Year's Portable Cherry Tomato Crop

With the move and development of our new garden, not much attention has been paid to this year's cherry tomato crop, but it is indeed alive, well, and producing an abundance of fruit to satisfy our addiction.
Last Victoria Day weekend at the old house, we planted 12 seedlings in containers, (knowing a move to our new home was imminent).
They have done very well in the pots, assisted with a generous portion of commercial tomato food.
Moving them here was another story. Boy were they heavy! My daughter Ali was terrific in helping us with a special trip devoted to transporting them. Thank goodness we had a dolly!
They were placed along the wall holding the berm and, in that position, get a generous amount of sun all day long. As attested by the hose in the picture, they also receive a generous amount of watering, twice daily!
Vive les tomates!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Instant Garden!


What a wonderful bouquet and surprise at the door today!
Our friends Diane and John of Edinburgh, Scotland sent us these gorgeous posies to warm us to our new home.
Thank you so much Guys. They are absolutely beautiful!

Rocks, Rocks and More Rocks!

In two trips, Scruffer the Rock Hound and I had a good early morning on the "mountain" picking up rocks.
At least 20 of them on the ground weigh 100+ pounds, so must have gathered well over a ton.
This week I have a whole new appreciation for the men that built Fort Chambly!

The Budding (Pardon the Expression!) Tomato Garden

Stone by stone from the "Mountain", (the local
term for the Niagara Escarpment), the Tomato
Garden is starting to take shape!

View from the top of the berm,
Ruffy guarding the clay fill

Also taken from the top of the berm, this
horizontal image shows the steps being built
up on both sides of the Tomato Garden
Well, here's where all the clay fill from the planting of the four locusts is going.
Mar and I are both addicted to cherry tomatos ... in fact, the plants I grew in containers this year, (knowing we were moving), are currently yielding approximately 150 to 200 cherry tomatoes daily. We have not tossed any, so that proves our addiction! (If some people ate the number I do a day I think they would 'toss' some ... and not the garbage toss either ... hahaha.)
Starting next year, (if my back holds up carrying 100+ pound rocks), we'll be growing our cherry tomatoes in the southwest corner of the lot, an area getting full sun exposure all day long.
The garden area will be the top of the berm, extending out onto this new jetty that thrusts about 12 feet into the backyard. These rocks match those in the Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens, plus those used to form the scallops around the four new locust trees ... only much bigger! All this matching of rock is definitely bringing the backyard topgether and all the paths being formed by the raised gardens should intrigue the grandchildren-to-be, (plus bigger kids and dogs).
We do think the tomato garden will be a pretty addition, especially ringed at the edges by marigolds to attract the bees and vines down over the rocks; but most of all ... to continue to feed our addiction!

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

.... from our E-mailbag

I am amazed to see how your garden is evolving.
You are obviously spending all your waking hours working away and have accomplished so much for the short time you have been in your new house.
By the way, belated congratulations on your new home, to you and your family.
Heather Gibb
Hi Heather
Glad to see you are enjoying this gardening with us!
We do take a break Monday and Tuesday evenings to watch Canadian Idol. hahaha
Well, better get back down and dirty .....

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Lots of Progress in Garden Today!

Scruffer and Mike started the day early on a rock collecting mission. This is about half of them.

Scruffer the Rock Hound!

We used the largest and flattest rocks to finish the path through the Rhododendron Bed.
Notice the new solar lights lighting the way for night sojourns ... Canadian Tire had a huge 50% off sale this weekend and we got enough to be seen from outer space!

Finished digging hole for locust tree #2. What a horrible job!
The berm is composed of ridiculous fill used 18 years ago to construct it .... clay, rock and old ashphalt from some street the town must have dug up. Thank goodness we have Stan's old maddock, (Mar's Dad). My arms are sore after a day digging through that garbage.
By the way, that's Locust #1 in the near background; very, very happy in his new home.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Our New Bonsai Garden

Ruffy checking out the new Bonsai Garden
As we have figured, much of our garden will develop through reading & researching, "luck of the find" and plant trading.
Boy, did we luck out today!
Wanting to add some red, especially a Japanese Maple, to contrast against all the green foliage now slowly developing, luckily, we saw an on-line add by a chap, (also living in the Niagara), selling Japanese Cutleaf Maple saplings, at very reasonable prices.
His name is Alan Trafford and both he and his brother have spent years as bonsai plant hobbyists; both having studied this art in bonsai courses almost twenty years ago in Toronto.
Alan also maintains a retail booth every Sunday at the market in Jordan, Ontario, selling his self-grown bonsais and other assorted plants.
Mar and I were EXTREMELY fortunate to be invited to his home to pick out our own Japanese Maple saplings.
By the time we left we had a good selection of other plant varieties as well! This included four pots of iris, a plum cactus, (winter variety suitable for our gardens and harsh winters), two pots of fescue grass, two pots of ground cover to be named later and two more plants, which, in the course of the busy day, we have also sadly forgotten their identity!
The plus of all of this was meeting and having the time to spend with Alan. What an interesting person. His backyard is literally filled with bonsai plants in all stages of development for eventual sale. On top of that he has his own private collection of plants interspersed throughout his backyard bonsai "jungle", both outdoor and indoor varieties. (One has to wonder how he moves in his home once his indoor collection returns to the indoors for the winter!)
If you find yourselves in the Niagara and near Jordan on a Sunday, why not stop by and see Alan in person. You won't regret that meeting! Also, Alan agreed to have his contact info posted on our site. His telephone number is (905) 309-1697 and his E-mail address is atrafford@hotmail.com
All said and done, home we came with this wonderful assortment in hand and the new bed next to the Breakfast Nook begging for plants. Why not a bonsai garden ourselves!?!? So that is what has developed.
Who knows. As they grow, maybe we'll decide to let them grow taller and replant them elsewhere as they outgrow this smallish bed. That is the wonderful option of gardening ... being able to constantly change!
But for now ... welcome to our new Bonsai Garden!
Wowwee Kazowwee! This was a great day: meeting Alan and learning yet more about gardening ... this time the fascinating creativity of bonsai culture, from someone who has devoted two decades to the craft ... then creating our own new Bonsai Garden ... and finally, finishing the day with BBQed ribs and a bottle of white Niagara VQA, (Legends Estates Winery, Heritage House Vidal 2003: about a 7 out of 10) ... all the while critiquing our latest garden handiwork ...... life doesn't get much better than that!

..... from our E-mailbag : from Adelaide, Australia

Sent : August 11, 2007 8:07:57 AM
To : Mike and Marilyn
Subject : YOUR GARDEN

Hello M&M,
I've just been looking at your garden site .... your plans sound great, and what you have already done looks marvellous.
Don't overdo the heavy work though, I don't want dead cousins!!!!!
Pity about the topsoil being removed. Developers must be the same worldwide. My small back courtyard was littered with builders' rubble when I moved in, and I had to soak it with water for several days to soften the layer of concrete mix and bricks and goodness-knows-what else before I could attack it with a mattock ..... and then remove that rubbish when it was all broken up. Then I turned it over 7 times with a fork, and added lots of gypsum to break up the clay. Then I added lots of compost. Then I made a policy decision - I'm NEVER going to move again :-) .
After nearly three years the soil is really good - how do I know? Lots of worms have miraculously arrived. Being a tiny space I can only plant small crops - 6 mini cauliflowers this year were doing well ....... until some darn bug had a good feed a couple of nights ago ... only two survived. I'm not pleased. So far the 6 broccoli plants are OK, and the primulas are all flowering and look very pretty.
If I knew how to work my new digital camera (purchased recently to record my forthcoming holiday in NZ) I'd take some photos!

Love to all ....... Jenny

Carl's Garden ~ A Nice Story


Mar E-mailed me this short fiction about a garden and its keeper. Thanks Mar! Hope you all enjoy it too; that it makes a little bright spot in your day, as it did mine! ( ... and yes, don't laugh! Mar and I have adjoining desks in our home office but routinely E-mail each other with tidbits we receive on-line.)
__________________________

Carl was 86 years old. His church announced that the garden behind the pastor's house needed someone to care for it. So Carl volunteered to be the keeper of the garden. And just about every day he was back there, watering or weeding or tilling that little garden. This was not the kind of neighborhood one might choose to live in
today - it had changed over the years. It was a rough, inner-city neighborhood, dominated by gangs and violence. Yet it was where Carl lived.

One day Carl was working in the garden, when a gang of three young men spotted him, taunted him, ridiculed him, and pushed him around. But Carl never said anything, he simply smiled. As it was a hot afternoon, he gently asked if they would like a drink from his garden hose.

They laughed at him and pushed him down into the mud. Then they relieved him of his retirement watch and his wallet, leaving him on the ground and laughing as they continued down the street. The pastor saw the incident and rushed over to help Carl up. The old man picked up his hose, still gushing water, and continued his work.

"What are you doing?" asked the pastor.

Carl answered, "Aw, they're just punks. Maybe they'll wise up some day. I'm not going to let them keep me from the garden." A compassionate and gentle man, Carl was not prone to violence.

Something similar happened another time. Carl was again watering the garden when the young men spotted him. They insulted and derided him. He never answered back; never responded with anger. He just quietly continued his work. And, once again, he mentioned it was a hot afternoon and offered them a cold drink. They thought it was funny. They took the hose and this time doused Carl. They hosed him from head to foot. Then they left, still laughing. Dripping wet, the old man continued to water his garden.

Some weeks later, when Carl was again working in the garden, he heard a voice behind him. It startled him. As he turned around, he lost his footing and he fell back into a small evergreen shrub. Though unhurt, he had a bad leg and struggled to get up. Carl recognized the leader of the gang that abused him and prepared for the worst.

But this time the man said, "I'm not here to hurt you, old man. Here, let me help you up," and he extended his hand. "I've got something for you." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a crumpled paper bag. Carl reached in and found his retirement watch and his wallet. The young man continued, "It's all there, even the money."

Carl looked through the wallet until he found the picture of his wife, now dead now for several years. She was much younger, then. He asked, "Why are you doing this?"

The young man said, "I haven't been able to sleep very well, lately. I've been thinking about you, all these times we've come over here, and the things that we've said to you, and you never said anything back to us; the way we've treated you and you never treated us badly. I guess I feel bad about that, and watching you, I know I can do better, and I think I will do better." He continued, "I guess this is just my way of saying I'm sorry."

Carl never saw that young man again. He passed away that year about a week after Christmas. The pastor said something at the funeral about doing the best you can with your life. Make your garden as beautiful as you can, he said. Of course, he was talking about our lives, not actual gardens. But a young man who sat in the back of the church by himself heard those words.

When spring arrived, the pastor put an announcement on the bulletin board asking for a volunteer to take care of what was now called Carl's garden. In a few days, the young man from the funeral stopped by. The pastor recognized the gang leader, who said, "I believe that's my job, if you'll have me. I looked up to Carl. I respected him. I think, because of him, I'm becoming a different person. I'd like to take over that garden."

So he got the job of caring for Carl's garden. He worked on making some of those changes in his life, too. He went back to school. He graduated and eventually got married. He landed a job with real responsibility. And still every Summer he cared for the garden. He watered it, weeded it, tilled it.

After a few years, that church changed pastors. One day the young man came into the new pastor's office and announced, "I'm going to have to give up my job of caring for Carl's garden. You see, we've just had a new baby boy, and I want to spend a lot of time with him this summer."

The pastor smiled and said, "Oh, that's wonderful. That's marvelous! Congratulations. What are you going to name him?"

The man said, "Carl. I think we'll call him Carl."

Friday, August 10, 2007

This Morning's View from the Breakfast Nook: PLANTED!

This morning: coffee never tasted better!
Yes! The first locust tree out of four is in.
Still to do ... gotta add about one more layer of rock to its retaining wall, plus install tree braces to hold the roots firm for a couple of years.
Aw, one's gardening mind is always active .... the view from here this morning is already stirring the imagination juices with next spring's planting .... perhaps some pretty annuals cascading over the new retaining wall?
("Ruffy, you pee on that new tree and you're going over the back wall!!!!")
<><><><><>
Now it is on to three more three foot holes. Anyone out there need a working vacation in the Niagara? Bring a shovel! hahahaha

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Guarding the Hole

Ruffy and Scruffy guarding the hole

An hour later, Ruffy still on guard!
What goes through a dog's mind when their masters start digging a three foot hole?
Maybe they think we have adopted a certain cat's habit?!?!
Both took great interest in this digging. Too bad they don't have opposable thumbs!

Greetings from the Niagara!

Greetings from the Niagara!
Enjoying a hike on the Bruce Trail near our home.

Contact Us

marandmike
AT
sympatico
DOT
ca

Welcome to All Green Thumbs!

Welcome to All Green Thumbs!

This is Marilyn & Mike

This is Marilyn & Mike

This is Definitely Mike!

This is Definitely Mike!

Handy Gardeners' Plant Database Search Engine

Search HortiPlex:

Handy Image Search Engine

Example: Type in "rhododendron" and see the exquisite results! Have fun with virtually any image search!

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Hardiness Zone Colour Legend

Hardiness Zone Colour Legend

Hardiness Zone Map ~ Great Lakes

Hardiness Zone Map ~ Great Lakes

Hardiness Zone Map ~ USA

Hardiness Zone Map ~ USA

Wish List

New Word Coined by Gardening Author

"Hortgasm" - A hortgasm is what a garden fanatic has when sighting a particularly beautiful specimen. ~ James Dodson, Beautiful Madness, Penguin Group, 2007

Great Source for Japanese Maples and Bonsai

Alan Trafford
* Tel (905) 309-1697
* E-mail atrafford@hotmail.com
* Also maintains stall every Sunday at Jordan Market, Jordon, Ontario

Great Source for Perennials!!!!

Cindy Ripley
6 Nursey Lane (No Kidding!)
Fonthill
905-892-5598
cindyripley@hotmail.com
Best call or E-mail for an appointment

We bought 45 plants for $30 on July 10/07.
That has to be the best price anywhere!
She has them growing in her garden, plus has pictures of all, so great way to choose your own.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Blog Archive

Are You a Visiting Gardener? Please Sign and Comment on Our Guestmap!

~ Visitor Count ~ Thanks So Much for Dropping In! Come Again! And Again!

Cluster Map Showing Origin of Our Visitors

Bee Balm

Bee Balm
Monarda (bee balm, horsemint, oswego tea, or bergamot) is a genus consisting of roughly 16 species of erect, herbaceous annual or perennial plants in the Lamiaceae, indigenous to North America. Ranging in height from 1 to 3 feet (0.2 to 0.9 m), the plants have an equal spread, with slender and long-tapering (lanceolate) leaves; the leaves are opposite on stem, smooth to nearly hairy, lightly serrated margins, and range from 3 to 6 inches (7 to 14 cm) long. In all species, the leaves, when crushed, exude a spicy, highly fragrant oil.

Cleome

Cleome
Cleome is a genus of flowering plants traditionally included in the family Capparaceae. Some recent classifications (e.g. the APG II system have included the Capparaceae within Brassicaceae, while others classifications have transferred Cleome (along with other related genera) to its own family Cleomaceae, separate from both Capparaceae and Brassicaceae.

Candy Lily

Candy Lily
Pardancanda norrisii, candy lily. 36". Candy lilies are hybrids between Belamcanda chinensis and Pardanthopsis dichotoma. They are very similar to Belamcanda but with larger flowers in a wider range of colors from blue and purples through yellows, reds, oranges, and bi-colors, with or without dark spots on the petals. Individual blooms last for one day but keep coming for weeks. They have iris like foliage and are often mistaken for iris, especially when they first emerge. Plant Pardancanda in average to rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Plants divide easily in spring or late summer. Plants often self sow, but the seedlings are easily transplanted or weeded out. If fungul or bacterial leaf spot become a problem, trim off affected foliage and move plants to a location with more sun, better drainage, and better air circulation.

Chinese Lantern

Chinese Lantern
Physalis alkekengi (Bladder-cherry, Chinese Lantern, Japanese-lantern, or Winter cherry; Japanese: hozuki), is a relative of P. peruviana (Cape Gooseberry), easily identifiable by the larger, bright orange to red papery covering over its fruit, which resemble Chinese lanterns. It is native from southern Europe east across southern Asia to Japan. It is a popular ornamental plant, though can be invasive with its wide-spreading root system sending up new shoots some distance from where it was originally planted.

Columbine

Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea is a species of Aquilegia native to the Rocky Mountains from Montana south to New Mexico and west to Idaho and Arizona. Common names include Colorado Blue Columbine and Rocky Mountain Columbine, the latter also shared with Aquilegia saximontana. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 20-60 cm tall. The flowers are very variable in color, from pale blue (as in the species name caerulea) to white, pale yellow and pinkish; very commonly the flowers are bicolored, with the sepals a different shade to the petals. Aquilegia caerulea is the state flower of Colorado. It is also a popular ornamental plant in gardens, with numerous cultivars selected for different flower colors. There are five varieties: Aquilegia caerulea var. alpina, Aquilegia caerulea var. caerulea, Aquilegia caerulea var. daileyae, Aquilegia caerulea var. ochroleuca, and Aquilegia caerulea var. pinetorum.

Cornflower

Cornflower
The Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) also known as Bachelor's button, Basket flower, and Boutonniere flower is a small annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe. It is an annual plant growing to 40-90 cm tall, with grey-green branched stems. The leaves are lanceolate, 1-4 cm long. The flowers are most commonly an intense blue colour, produced in flowerheads (capitula) 1.5-3 cm diameter, with a ring of a few large, spreading ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. The blue pigment is protocyanin, which in roses is red. In the past it often grew as a weed in crop fields. It is now endangered in its native habitat by agricultural intensification, particularly over-use of herbicides, destroying its habitat; in the United Kingdom it has declined from 264 sites to just 3 sites in the last 50 years. It is also however, through introduction as an ornamental plant in gardens and a seed contaminant in crop seeds, now naturalised in many other parts of the world, including North America and parts of Australia. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, where several cultivars have been selected with varying pastel colours, including pink and purple. It is also occasionally used as a culinary ornament. Cornflowers have been used and prized historically for its blue pigment. Cornflowers are often used as an ingredient in tea and is famous in the Lady Grey blend of Twinings. In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man's love was unrequited. In herbalism a decoction of cornflower is effective in treating conjunctivitis, and as a wash for tired eyes. The Blue Cornflower has been the national flower of Estonia since 1968 and symbolizes daily bread to Estonians. It is also the symbol of the Estonian political party, Rahvaliit, the Finnish political party, National Coalition Party, and the Swedish political party, Liberal People's Party. The Cornflower is also often seen as an inspiration for the romantic symbol of the Blue Flower. The Blue Cornflower was the favourite flower of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Because of its ties to royalty, authors such as Theodor Fontane have used it, often sarcastically, to comment the social and political climate of the time. In Austria it is a political symbol for pan-German and rightist ideas. The Members of the Freedom Party wore it at 2005's Parliament Opening. The Cornflower is the national flower of Poland.

Delphinium

Delphinium
Delphinium is a genus of about 250 species of annual, biennial or perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The common name, shared with the closely related genus Consolida, is Larkspur. The leaves are deeply lobed with 3-7 toothed, pointed lobes. The main flowering stem is erect, and varies greatly in size between the species, from 10 cm in some alpine species, up to 2 m tall in the larger meadowland species; it is topped by many flowers, varying between purple, blue, red, yellow or white. The flower has five petals which grow together to form a hollow flower with a spur at the end, which gives the plant its name. The seeds are small and shiny black. The plants flower from late spring to late summer, and are pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees. Despite the toxicity, Delphinium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Dot Moth and Small Angle Shades. Other names are, lark's heel (Shakespeare), lark's claw and knight's spur. The scientific name is taken from Dioscorides and describes the shape of the bud, which is thought to look like a (rather fat) dolphin. The Forking Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) prefers chalky loams. It grows wild in cornfields, but has become very rare nowadays. The flowers are commonly purple, but a white variety exists as well. Baker's larkspur (Delphinium bakeri) and Yellow larkspur (D. luteum), both native to very restricted areas of California, are highly endangered species. Many species are cultivated as garden plants, with numerous cultivars having been selected for their denser, more prominent flowers. All parts of the plant contain an alkaloid delphinine and are very poisonous, causing vomiting when eaten, and death in larger amounts. In small amounts, extracts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine. Gerard's herball reports that drinking the seed of larkspur was thought to help against the stings of scorpions, and that other poisonous animals could not move when covered by the herb, but does not believe it himself. Grieve's herbal reports that the seeds can be used against parasites, especially lice and their nits in the hair. A tincture is used against asthma and dropsy. The juice of the flowers, mixed with alum, gives a blue ink. The plant was connected to Saint Odile and in popular medicine used against eye-diseases. It was one of the herbs used on the feast of St. John and as such warded against lightning. In Transylvania, it was used to keep witches from the stables, probably because of its blue color. Larkspur, especially tall larkspur, is a significant cause of cattle poisoning on rangelands in the western United States. Larkspur is more common in high-elevation areas, and many ranchers will delay moving cattle onto such ranges until late summer when the toxicity of the plants is reduced.

Dianthus

Dianthus
Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species (D. repens) in arctic North America. Common names include carnation (D. caryophyllus), pink (D. plumarius and related species) and sweet william (D. barbatus). The name Dianthus is from the Greek words dios ("god") and anthos ("flower"), and was cited by the Greek botanist Theophrastus. The species are mostly perennial herbs, a few are annual or biennial, and some are low subshrubs with woody basal stems. The leaves are opposite, simple, mostly linear and often strongly glaucous grey-green to blue-green. The flowers have five petals, typically with a frilled margin, and are (in almost all species) pale to dark pink. One species (D. knappii) has yellow flowers with a purple centre. Dianthus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Cabbage Moth, Double-striped Pug, Large Yellow Underwing and The Lychnis. Also three species of Coleophora case-bearers feed exclusively on Dianthus: C. dianthi, C. dianthivora and C. musculella (which feeds exclusively on D. suberbus). The colour pink may be named after the flower. The origin of the flower name 'pink' is unknown; it has been suggested that it comes from the frilled edge of the flowers, which look as though they were cut with pinking shears, but actually, the shears were patented in 1893 and got their name from the flower.

False Dragonhead

False Dragonhead
Physostegia virginiana is more commonly known as Obedience Plant or False Dragonhead, since when bent, the stems will take the new shape. Obedience Plant can grow up to 4 feet tall. Small white flowers bloom on the plant in July and August. It will spread by rhizomes, and can spread at a very fast rate. The flowers are usually white, though light pink flowers are also possible. It is a perennial that is native to most of the United States, except for the Pacific Coast states.

Foxglove

Foxglove
Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and biennials that was traditionally placed in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. Due to new genetic research, it has now been placed in the much enlarged family Plantaginaceae. The genus is native to Europe, western and central Asia and northwestern Africa. The term digitalis is also used for preparations containing cardiac glycosides, particularly digoxin, extracted from plants of this genus. The members of this genus are known in English as foxgloves. The scientific name means "finger-like", and refers to the ease with which a flower of Digitalis purpurea can be fitted over a human fingertip. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular, and vary in colour with species, from purple to pink, white and yellow. The best-known species is the Common Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. It is a biennial, often grown as an ornamental plant due to its showy flowers, that range in colour from purples through to whites, with variable marks and spotting. The first year of growth produces only the long, basal leaves, while in the second year the erect leafy stem 0.5-2.5 m tall develops. The larvae of the Foxglove Pug feed on the flowers of Digitalis purpurea. Other Lepidoptera species feed on the leaves including Lesser Yellow Underwing.

Globe Thistle

Globe Thistle
The Globe Thistle is very interesting if one likes thorny, prickly plants. The leaves are large, deeply cut and very prickly. The stems are silver-white, while the flowers are either white or a grayish metallic blue. The flower heads are round like a ball and are entirely covered with needle-like thistles All of the species bloom from June or July through September. Echinops Rilro has deep steel blue flowers and grows about 3 feet high E. sphaerocephalus is the tallest growing species, attaining a height of from 5 feet to 7 feet with large, white flowers. All the Globe Thistles are distinctive plants and are well adapted to plant in borders, among shrubbery or to use as bold specimen plants. The flower heads, which are excellent for cutting, can be dried and will remain attractive for months, They are also suitable for naturalizing in wild gardens.

Gloriosa Daisy

Gloriosa Daisy
Rudbeckia hirta (common names :Black-eyed Susan, Blackiehead, Brown Betty, Brown Daisy, Brown-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Golden Jerusalem, Poorland Daisy, Yellow Daisy, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy) is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is an upright annual (sometimes biennial or perennial) native to most of North America, and is one of a number of plants with the common name Black-eyed Susan that also has purple on the side. The plant can reach a height of 1-2 m. It has alternate, mostly basal leaves 20-75 cm long, covered by coarse hair. It flowers from June to August, with inflorescences measuring 10-15 cm in diameter (up to 30 cm in some cultivars), with yellow ray florets circling a brown, domed center of disc florets. Black-eyed Susan was designated the state Floral Emblem of Maryland in 1918.

Hen and Chicks

Hen and Chicks
Hen and chicks is a common name for a group of small succulents belonging to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. They grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagating by offsets. The 'hen' is the main plant, and the 'chicks' are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence close to the mother plant. Plants commonly referred to as "Hens and chicks" include ground hugging species of Sempervivum (Houseleeks) such as Sempervivum Pekinese, Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek), and Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek); the related genus Jovibarba. The name is also used for some species of Echeveria, Sedum and Bergenia although these plants differ significantly from, and should not be confused with, Sempervivum and Jovibarba. The description below provides characteristics of Sempervivum and Jovibarba only. Aside from the common morphology, the many species of hen and chicks differ widely in appearance. Colours range from lime green to burgundy to purple, and size varies from as small as 1 cm to as large as 20 cm across. The leaves can be thin and spiky or thick and rounded with a pointed tip. Some, such as Cobweb Houseleek, have fine spiderweb-like filaments that grow naturally from leaf edge to leaf edge, forming a white cover on the top of the plant, while others have fine hairs that cover the entire plant structure. Upon maturity (usually around 3 to 4 years old) the plant will send up a single stalk that can reach 5-15 cm tall. The head of the stalk is a cluster of star-shaped flower buds 1-2 cm in diameter, which range in color from dark pink to yellow and that flower for several weeks. After blooming, the plant will die. Usually by this time it has produced many offsets ('chicks'). Hen and chicks are popular in gardens for their varied and interesting appearance and hardiness. They are grown as container planting or rock gardens. They do best in well-drained, rocky soil; if they stay wet, the outer leaves will rot. Although they do best in sun, they will grow in light shade.

Hollyhock

Hollyhock
The hollyhocks comprise about 60 species of flowering plants in the genus Alcea (Ál-ce-a) in the mallow family Malvaceae, native to southwest and central Asia. They are biennial or short-lived perennial plants growing to 1-3 m tall, with broad, rounded, palmately lobed leaves and numerous flowers, pink or yellow in the wild species, on the erect central stem. Alcea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix quadrigemina and the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants, cultivars selected, particularly from A. rosea. The flowers have been selected for variations in colour, with dark purple, red and white-flowered plants available in addition to the colours found in wild plants. Hollyhocks are very drought resistant, and do well in full sun locations that might be too hot or dry for other plants. They produce large, flat coin-shaped seeds (1/2" diameter) that seem to grow easily wherever they drop. While an individual plant might only live a handful of years, by that time chances are good it will leave plenty of descendants. They have very long taproots which make transplanting difficult. A stylized, symmetrical hollyhock is the seal of the Tokugawa family in Japan, and is often used as a reference to the era in Japan's history where that family ruled the country.

Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium foliosissimum is easy to spot and identify because of its growth patterns: it is often in dense to loosely scattered colonies in open mountain meadows; it grows tall (commonly two to three feet) in an open, airy manner; and its leaves are finely cut. Its abundance of softly lavender/ blue/purple flowers are borne in numerous, showy clusters. Altogether, Polemonium foliosissimum is a softly appealing, lovely plant. Charles Parry first found this plant for science in Colorado and it was named by Asa Gray in 1878. "Foliosissimum" is Greek for "very leafy".

Lupin

Lupin
Lupin, often spelled lupine in North America, is the common name for members of the genus Lupinus in the family Fabaceae. The genus comprises between 150-200 species, and has a wide distribution in the Mediterranean region - Subgen. Lupinus, and the Americas - Subgen. Platycarpos (Wats.) Kurl. The species are mostly herbaceous perennial plants 0.3-1.5 m tall, but some are annual plants and a few are shrubs up to 3 m tall, with one, Lupinus jaimehintoniana, a tree 8 m high with a trunk 20 cm in diameter, from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. They have a characteristic and easily recognised leaf shape, with soft green to grey-green or silvery leaves with the blades usually palmately divided into 5–17 leaflets or reduced to a single leaflet in a few species of the southeastern United States; in many species, the leaves are hairy with silvery hairs, often densely so. The flowers are produced in dense or open whorls on an erect spike, each flower 1-2 cm long, with a typical peaflower shape with an upper 'standard', two lateral 'wings' and two lower petals fused as a 'keel'. The fruit is a pod containing several seeds. Like most members of this family, lupins can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, fertilizing the soil for other plants (see legume). The genus Lupinus is nodulated by the soil microorganism Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus). Some species have a long central tap root. The yellow legume seeds of Lupins, commonly called Lupini beans, were quite popular with the Romans and they spread the cultivation of them throughout the Roman Empire. Today, Lupini are most commonly found in Mediterranean countries, especially in Portugal, Egypt, and Italy, and also in Brazil & In Spanish Harlem, where it is popular along with beer. In Portuguese the Lupini Beans are known as "tremoços". In Antalya, Turkey it is known as Tirmis amongst the local people. The Andean American variety of this bean is the Lupinus mutabilis, a widespread food during the Incan Empire. They are commonly sold in a salty solution in jars (like olives and pickles) and can be eaten with or without the skin. Lupins are popular ornamental plants in gardens. There are numerous hybrids and cultivars. Some species, such as Lupinus polyphyllus and hybrids like the Rainbow Lupin (Lupinus × regalis) are common garden flowers. Others, such as the Yellow Bush Lupin L. arboreus are considered invasive weeds when they appear outside their native range. Lupins are also cultivated as forage and grain legumes. Three Mediterranean species of lupin, Lupinus angustifolius (Blue Lupin), Lupinus albus (White Lupin) and Lupinus luteus (Yellow Lupin) are cultivated for livestock and poultry feed and for human consumption. The Andean Lupin Lupinus mutabilis and the Mediterranean L. albus, L. angustifolius[2] and L. hirsutus[3](these varieties are known locally as altramuz in Spain and Argentina) are also edible after soaking the seeds for some days in salted water [4]. These lupins are referred to as sweet lupins because they contain smaller amounts of toxic alkaloids than the bitter varieties. Both sweet and bitter lupins in feed can cause livestock poisoning. Lupin poisoning is a nervous syndrome caused by alkaloids in bitter lupins, similar to Neurolathyrism. Mycotoxic lupinosis is a disease caused by lupin material that is infected with the fungus Diaporthe toxica; the fungus produces mycotoxins called phomopsins, which cause liver damage. The worst damage to lupin is caused by anthracnose, fusarium wilt, fusarium and other root rot, bacteria and viruses.

Mrs. Bradshaw

Mrs. Bradshaw
Geum (Avens) is a genus of about 50 species of perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family Rosaceae, native to Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa and New Zealand. They are closely related to Potentilla and Fragaria. The Geum 'Mrs. Bradshaw‘, Geum chiloense, produces lovely scarlet, semi-double flowers that are shaped like small roses. Its fresh green, fuzzy foliage makes it different from the rest. With a plant height of 3’ and a spread of 12-18”, this is a highly valued plant. ‘Mrs. Bradshaw’ has a long blooming season, from May to July, and is easy to care for. Not bothered by pest or insects, it is one to defiantly try. ‘Mrs. Bradshaw’ needs full sun but can tolerate afternoon shade, in moist well-drained soil. It is a perfect addition to any cottage garden, makes a wonderful combination with bright yellows, gold’s and true blues (like Delphiniums, Salvias), for borders and mass plantings and for cuttings.

Mugho Pine (It's Moo Goo!!! Our First Garden Purchase!!)

Mugho Pine (It's Moo Goo!!! Our First Garden Purchase!!)
The Mugho Pine tree, Pinus mugo mughus, may also be called the dwarf mountain pine. This evergreen little dwarf conifer has branching, upright stems evenly covered in 2-inch-long needles of a deep, dark true green. Thanks to its low growth, mugho pine can be used at the front of a border or anywhere you want year-round greenery in conifer form. Mugho pine trees do not need special soil. In nature, it often grows in slightly rocky areas with shallow topsoil. It does require good drainage. Roots grow near the surface, so using a cover soil with a 2-inch-thick mulch to protect them is recommended. These trees are easily transplanted. They make a great landscaping evergreen tree because their shape and size are controllable by shearing.

Poppy

Poppy
Poppies need to be planted in full sun, in a moist but well drained area. It has a plant height and width of 24" and blooms from May until July. Poppies are best used as cut flowers, as a border plant and as underplantings to larger, late flowering perennials. They do go dormant in July or August, and the foliage will die back completely to the ground. Avoid planting in wide open spaces.

Rhododendron

Rhododendron
Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. It is a large genus with over 1000 species and most have showy flower displays. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas. The Rhododendron is an interesting genus characterized by shrubs and small to (rarely) large trees, the smallest species growing to 10-20 cm tall, and the largest, R. arboreum, reported to 50 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can range from 1-2 cm to over 50 cm, exceptionally 100 cm in R. sinogrande. They may be either evergreen or deciduous. In some species the underside of the leaves are covered with scales (lepidote) or hairs (indumentum). Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, and tropical species such as subgenus Vireya that often grow as epiphytes. Rhododendron is a very widely distributed genus, occurring throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere except for dry areas, and extending into the Southern Hemisphere in southeastern Asia and northern Australasia. The highest species diversity is found in the Sino-Himalayan mountains from central Nepal and Sikkim east to Yunnan and Sichuan, with other significant areas of diversity in the mountains of Indo-China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. In addition, there are a significant number of tropical rhododendron species from southeast Asia to northern Australia, with 55 known species in Borneo and 164 in New Guinea [1]. Relatively fewer species occur in North America and Europe. Rhododendrons have not been found in South America or Africa. Rhododendrons are extensively hybridized in cultivation, and natural hybrids often occur in areas where species ranges overlap. There are over 28,000 cultivars of Rhododendron in the International Rhododendron Registry held by the Royal Horticultural Society. Most have been bred for their flowers, but a few are of garden interest because of ornamental leaves and some for ornamental bark or stems. Both species and hybrid rhododendrons (including azaleas) are used extensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of the world, and many species and cultivars are grown commercially for the nursery trade. Rhododendrons are often valued in landscaping for their structure, size, flowers, and the fact that many of them are evergreen [5]. Azaleas are frequently used around foundations and occasionally as hedges, and many larger-leafed rhododendrons lend themselves well to more informal plantings and woodland gardens, or as specimen plants. In some areas, larger rhododendrons can be pruned to encourage more tree-like form, with some species such as R. arboreum and R. falconeri eventually growing to 10-15 m or more tall. Like other ericaceous plants, most rhododendrons prefer acid soils with a pH of roughly 4.5-5.5; some tropical Vireyas and a few other rhododendron species grow as epiphytes and require a planting mix similar to orchids. Rhododendrons have fibrous roots and prefer well-drained soils high in organic material. In areas with poorly-drained or alkaline soils, rhododendrons are often grown in raised beds using mediums such as composted pine bark.[7]. Mulching and careful watering are important, especially before the plant is established.

Summer Skies

Summer Skies
SUMMER SKIES is noted for its double flowers. It is a mounding, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 24” tall and spreads to 24” wide. Features soft, violet-blue double flowers (to 1.25” diameter) with fine dark veining and a hint of greenish-white in the center. Flowers typically bloom from late spring to early summer in hot summer climates such as St. Louis, but may bloom throughout the summer into fall in cooler northern climates. Sparse late summer and/or fall rebloom may occur in St. Louis if plants are cut back hard after flowering. Deeply cut gray-green foliage. Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, organic soils. Also prefers part afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Plants may be cut or sheared back after flowering to rejuvenate, shape and/or encourage rebloom. Side stems may be removed or trimmed at any time to control spread. No serious insect or disease problems. Taller stems may need some support. Specimen, group or mass in borders, rock gardens or cottage gardens.

Sweet Million (We GOTTA Have Some Cherry Tomatoes in Our Garden!!)

Sweet Million (We GOTTA Have Some Cherry Tomatoes in Our Garden!!)
Early maturing hybrid cherry type tomato. Clusters of tiny fruit are well rounded, deep red in color with a delicious sweet flavor. Tolerance to cracking and good holding qualities. Tall Indeterminate plants grow tall and require support. Maturity is 60 days from transplanting.

Sitemeter